In 1807 when he was two the Andersen family moved into what he would describe as his childhood home in Odense on the island of Funen in Denmark. Hans Christian Andersen and his family would go on to live here from 1807-1819. This tiny house was shared by 3 families (12 people). The house was crowded beyond belief and there was a complete lack of privacy. It is believed that this complete lack of privacy helped to develop his unique imagination and love of stories as he escaped into the privacy of his mind.